Punch-drunk love

It's a good thing we had a holiday last Monday, besides the usual reasons for enjoying a workday not working, and commemorating Dr. King. After a rousing Saturday afternoon tending to the fifth Isthmus Beer & Cheese Fest, staff and volunteers were happy but tired and needed the extra day of rest.

My thanks to all those responsible for the event's success, including staff, volunteers and a congenial crowd that remained orderly and good-spirited. Also, of course, thanks to the exhibitors, who brought more than 225 beers and a heckuva lot of cheese to the party.

It wasn't just a party, though. To the exhibitors it was a chance to show off their wares to approximately 4,000 fans of Wisconsin's artisanal traditions. If you were unable to attend the sold-out event, you can read informative reports by Robin Shepard (beer) and Linda Falkenstein (cheese) at TheDailyPage.com.

Now on to our next project, one that requires reader involvement (but no drinking): The Book of Love. This is our annual Valentine's Day supplement, which Isthmus has been doing for so many years I'm not even going to try to remember how long. Its distinguishing trait is that it is written, literally, by our readers. You write the valentines and take the pictures; we publish them in the paper or on TheDailyPage.com, or both.

See the ad in this week's paper or go online for further instructions, which add up to going to Isthmus.com/bookoflove, where you can upload your messages and pictures. You have until midnight Sunday, Feb. 2, to get it done. The Book of Love will run with our Feb. 7 edition. Don't dally, but you can finish your beer first.